WINTER

For a fleeting moment, the sting of hearing him utter another woman’s name only days ago slipped from my mind. I was so giddy that I nearly kiss him again until the sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment.

“My king, we’re a bit late,” Loran said.

Valtor turned his attention toward him briefly before returning it to me. “As I said earlier, you'll get into the castle with Loran. You will also wear a mask."

My eyes dropped to the mask in Loran’s hand.

A pang of ...